No fatalities

CESSNA 172M accident at South Portland, ME, 8 Jul 2022

South Portland, ME, United States

On July 8, 2022, a CESSNA 172M operated by Portland Flight Services was involved in an aviation accident near South Portland, ME. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Student/instructed pilotLanding flare — Not attained/maintainedInstructor/check pilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Jul 2022 CESSNA 172M accident near South Portland, ME?

The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Jul 2022 CESSNA 172M accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Jul 2022 involved a CESSNA 172M, operated by Portland Flight Services, at South Portland, ME.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action.